Signal system



April 20, 1943'.

C. E. POTTER ETAL Filed June 6, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 20, 1943.

c. E. POTTER ETAL SIGNAL YSYSTEM I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 //7 pe/flons' Czar/2,5 62 07223 (James FIZZ end? Filed June 6, 1941 Patented Apr. 20, 1943 SIGNAL SYSTEM I Charles E. Potter, Richmond Heights, and James W. Kendall, St. Louis, Mo.; signor to said Potter said Kendall as- Application June 6, 1941, Serial No. 396,802 12 Claims. (CL 177-382) This invention relates to signal systems and particularly those suitable for use as supervisory signals for sprinkler systems.

In supervisory signals for sprinkler systems which are responsive to conditions, such as a flow through the sprinkler system, or a pressure in a part of the system, diiiiculties are encountered through false alarms given when there is only a momentary surge in the system. An object of this invention is to provide a device which will transmit a signal in response to a condition to be supervised only after that condition has existed for a substantial length of time. For instance, if the signal system is used to transmit an alarm when water flows through a conduit, it will give that alarm only after that flow has continued during a considerable interval.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a system utilizing an electrical retard, but so arranged that the transmitter in the signal system will operate in the event of the failure of the electrical retard.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal system of the character indicated which will be economica in construction, and positive and efficient in operation.

The present invention comprises the parts and their combination specifically pointed out in the appended claims, while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a plan view;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of some of the principal parts similar to Fig. 1, showing those parts at astarting phase;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, with a lesser number of parts however, showing the apparatus during a second phase of the operation;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing the parts in a third phase of their operation;

Fig. 5 is a view showing a thermostatic switch and heating element;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view;

Fig. '7 is a circuit diagram;

Fig. 8 is an alternate circuit diagram; and

Fig. 9 is a plan View of an improved thermostatic switch and heating element.

The device, as shown on the attached drawings, and the invention, contemplate generally a transmitter capable of sending a code signal upon proper actuation, a member or mechanism responsive to conditions to be supervised, arranged and constructed to operate or to initiate the action of the transmitter, and a retard or holding means which prevent the operation of Transmitter The transmitter is illustrated, described and claimed in our Patent No 2,234,318, issued March 11, 1941. The same reference numerals are used here as in that patent to indicate similar parts.

The transmitter consists of a spring motor having an escapement by which the motor can be blocked or released, a code sending wheel driven by the motor and interrupting a finger pile-up switch, and control mechanism for the motor. As specifically illustrated, a non-metallic code Wheel I is positioned to operate a finger pile-up switch 2, which interrupts a circuit connected with a central station to give a code signal corresponding to the number and arrangement of teeth in the code wheel I.

In the spring motor a main spring, not shown, has one end connected to a fixed post in a frame member of the motor and has its other end connected to a shaft 6, by which the spring may be wound and by which the motor is operated. This operation is caused through a chain. of gearing, including a gear 1, which drives a pinion secured to a shaft H, to which is also secured the code wheel I. An escapement wheelIZ is driven by a chain of gearing from the shaft I I. The escapement includes a pivoted balance I6 which carries an anchor I! to engage in the teeth of the escapement wheel I2. Since the spring motor is a commercial structure and well known in'the art, it is suiiicient hereto understand that when the escapement is not blocked and the main spring is wound, the motor will turn the. code wheel I continuously until the spring is unwound or until the escapement is blocked, and while the motor is turning the balance I6 will oscillate. Conventional means for blocking the escapement, and thereby stopping the motor, include an abutment pin I8 secured to the balance I6. 1

The mechanism for controlling the operation of the spring motor includes a detent I9 for engaging the end of, the abutment pin I8, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and thereby holding the pivoted balance in such a position that a pallet on the anchor ll engages a tooth of the escapement wheel I2 and thereby blocks the motor. The detent I9 is mounted torock or oscillate, and has its end bifurcated with two extended forks, one of which will engage the end of the pin l8 when the detent is in either of two extreme positions, while releasing the pin when the detent is moved to an intermediate position by permitting the pin Hi to oscillate between the forks as shown in Fig. 4.

The detent I9 is part of a unitary member which includes a boss pivotally mounted on a pin 2| and extending as a radial arm therefrom. The member which includes the boss 2|] and the detent l9 also has radially extending arms 22, 23 and 24. The arm 22 is a cam follower; the arm 23 is the means by which external force is applied to trip the device; and th arm 24 is a radial pin for engagement with a governing pawl 25.

The arm 22 has a follower which cooperates with a cam 26 to control the transmitter in such a manner that when force is applied to the arm 23 the spring motor will cause the code wheel I to be revolved a certain number of revolutions, three in the apparatus specifically illustrated in the drawings, and then the motor will be stopped. This operation will start from the position shown in Fig. 2, after the arm 23 has been moved in a counter-clockwise direction. After this signal has been given the mechanism will come to rest when the cam is rotated, so that an outer cam indentation 21 reaches the cam follower 22. Then subsequently, when normal conditions have caused force to be applied to the lever 23 in a clockwise direction, a restore signal will be given which, in the embodiment specifically illustrated in the drawings, will be by two revolutions of the code wheel. The cam surface will thus be rotated until its recess 29 seats the end of the cam follower 22, as shown in Fig. 2. The follower 22 cooperates with th cam 26 by means of an inwardly extending portion on the outer end of the arm or follower 22, which rides in a track or groove in the face of the cam 26. This groove is generally circular, but more specifically has an outer indentation or notch 21, a circular portion 28 counter-clockwise from the notch 2'! to an inner recess or notch 29, and then a circular portion tothe notch 21. The cam 26 has gear teeth on its periphery meshing with the gear I by which the cam is driven.

The transmitter mechanism also includes an arm or pin 24 which cooperates with a governing or directional pawl 25. The pawl 25 is pivoted at its end, not shown, and is pulled inwardly by a spring toward the boss 20. It engages the end of the pin 24 on inclined surfaces 33 and 34. The purpose of th pin 24 and the pawl 25 is to give the follower 22 a directional urge.

The transmitter is tripped by mechanism responsive to conditions to be supervised, which mechanism will be presently described.

Initiating mechanism The transmitter is supported by a plate which, as shown in Fig. 6, is attached to fittings permitting a vane 4| to be inserted through a lateral opening 42 in a conduit 43, the vane being connected with an operating member 44 to engage the ends of adjusting screws 45 and 45 on the bifurcated end of th lever 23. The fittings include a saddle 41 having an orifice registering with the orifice 42 of the conduit and secured to the conduit by a strap 48. A fitting or assembly 49 is interposed between the saddle 41 and the plate 45 and supports the vane 4| and the actuating member 44.

The vane and member 44 are unitary and are fulcrumed on a pin 50 supported by the assembly 49, the vane position extending downwardly into the conduit whil the lever or operating member 44 extends upwardly through an appropriate opening in the plate 40. The lower end of the operating member has a shank 5| which is at tached to the member 44 by a fitting 52. The shank 5| passes through and is secured to a flexible bellows 53. Below the bellows a pair of blocks 54 have clamped between them and hold the ends of resilient van suppports 55. The vane supports are looped as shown at 55, and then extend vertically downward to support the vane 4|. The resiliency of the support 55 taken with 1. the loop 56 enables th vane 4| to be deflected without injuring the device, although only a minor throw or movement is permitted th rigid part of the vane assembly.

It may be understood that the device herein contemplated is a self-contained unit which may be associated readily with a conduit, even though the vane 4| is of larger width than the hole 42 in the conduit; the vane being flexible so that it can be distorted to go through the hole. It will be further understood that the vane assembly, by reason of the flexibility of the vane supports 55 and the spring loops 56, is such that the vane can be deflected with the upper end of the vane assembly and particularly the member 44 held to provide a limited movement only.

The operation of the device, with the exception of the retard mechanism, may now be explained. For the present it may be understood that the retard device merely holds the actuating member 44 to a limited movement during the operation of the retard device; that limited movement being such as to prevent the end of the member 44 from moving the arm 23 to release or trip the transmitter.

As a current or water moves in the conduit 43 in the direction as shown by the arrows in Fig. 6, the vane 4| will be deflected toward the left while the upper end of the vane assembly and the member 44 will be deflected toward the right so that, unless held by the retard device, the member 44 will strike the end of the adjusting screw 45 on the member 23 to trip the mechanism. The regulating assembly on the transmitter including the arm 23, detent l9, boss 20, cam follower 22, and pin 24 will be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to that shown in Fig. 4. Then the detent releases the pin l8 permitting the spring motor to operate while the cam rotates with the follower in the cam section 28 until the recess 21 reaches the end of the cam follower. The regulating assembly, including the detent I5, is then permitted to move further in a counter-clockwise direction until the lower fork of the detent l9 holds the pin l8 and stops the motor. The transmitter is thus caused to operate the cam wheel I for a definite number of revolutions.

Vhen the flow through the conduit 43 is stopped and the vane assembly, including the member 44, has assumed a normal position, the member 44 will strike the inner end of the adjusting screw 46 on the arm 23, thus rotating the regulating assembly clockwise, moving the cam follower out of the recess 21, and permit,

ting the transmitter to give a restore signal by operation of the code wheel 1 until the cam recess 29 reaches the follower. Then the follower will seat in that recess in the position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thus completing the cycle and placing the transmitter in position to respond to a flow through the conduit as previously described.

It will be apparent, however, that if there has been a momentary urge only in the conduit the cycle as heretofore described, unless retarded, will take place and a false alarm or signal will be given. To avoid this condition and to insure operation of the transmitter only when there has been a continuous flow for a substantial length of time, means have been provided for holding the member 44 against full movement until that flow has continued over a substantial period. That holding or retarding means or mechanism will now be described.

Retard device The function of the retard device in the embodiment shown is, to hold temporarily the member 44 against a full movement sufiicient to trip the transmitter. For simplicity, attention is directed first to Fig. 3 and to the circuit diagrams, Figs. '7 and 8, which show the essential features of the retard device. Fig. 6 shows its association with the vane assembly, while Figs. 1, 2 and 4 show its association with the actuating mechanism of the transmitter. Figs. 5 and 9 show alternate constructions for a thermostatic switch and heating element controlling the retard device.

The member M is held by a link 69 connected to it and to the short arm of a bell crank lever 6|. The long arm of the lever SI engages loosely in a fork on one end of a lever 62. The other end of the lever 62 carries an armature 63 of an electromagnet or solenoid 54. When the electromagnet i4 is energized its armature 63 is held stationary, while the lever 6|, link 60 and the member 44 are permitted only such movement as is allowed by the loose connection between the levers 6i and E22, which movement can be understood by a comparison of the relative positions of these levers in Figs. 2 and 3. This movement is insufiicient to move the actuator of the transmitter, but suflicient to close a switch 85 for Controlling the retard.

One arm of the spring switch 55 has a tappet 56 engaged by the lever til, as shown in Fig. 2, when the member 44 is in neutral position. When, however, the lever 62 is moved a slight distance, as shown in Fig. 3, the switch 65 is permitted to close, thereby completing a circuit to energize the electromagnet 64. The circuit also includes a thermostatic switch ii! and a heating element 68 adjacent the switch 61. Thus, if the member 54 remains under tension for 'a suiiicient length of time, the circuit will remain closed until the heating element 68 causes the thermostatic switch 5'! to open, de-energizing the electromagnet B4 and releasing the lever 62, as shown in Fig. 4, thereby permitting the full movement of the member 44 to contact the adjusting screw 25 and move the actuator to release the transmitter.

Having described the general construction and operation of the retard device, further detail description of some of its mechanism and of the circuits will be made. The lever Si is pivoted by a pin 69, which pin has its lower end secured in the plate 40 and its upper end in a bracket 10 secured to the plate 40 by screws H. The short arm of the lever BI is pivotally secured to the end of the link 60 by a pin 72. The lever B! is held in neutral position by a spring 13.

The lever 62 is pivoted by a pin 74 having its lower end secured to the plate 40 and its upper end to an overhanging bracket 15. The lever 62 as shown has a counterbalance 16. A stop I1 secured to the plate 40 limits the movement of the lever 62 while a similar stop 18 limits the movement of the lever B l.

The circuit also includes a cam set spring switch 19. A tappet attached to one arm of the switch 19 rides a peripheral cam 8! which is driven by the transmitter and is mounted on and rotated with the cam 25, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The arrangement is such that when the transmitter is in position to give an alarm signal the tappet 80 rides the low section of the cam Bi closing the switch 19. After the transmitter begins its cycle of operation the cam opens the switch 19, rendering the circuit inoperative until the transmitter completes a cycle.

Now by reference to Fig. 7, the circuit and its operation may be explained. In neutral position of the apparatus the circuit will be in the condition shown in this figure. The switch 66 will be open since the lever 60 will engage the tappet 66, as shown in Fig. 2', the switch 19 will be closed as previously explained, and the thermostatic switch 6'! will be closed. Upon movement of the member 44, caused by a surge in the conduit 43, the lever 6| will move away from the tappet 66 permitting the switch 65 to close immediately, thereby completing the circuit to energize the electromagnet 64, as well as the heating element 68. If the element 44 remains under tension by reason of continued flow or surge in the conduit 43, the switch 65 will remain closed, and the heating element will continue to heat until the bimetallic arm of the thermostatic switch 61 moves sufficiently to open the switch 61. Then the electromagnet is t e-energized permitting further movement of the member 40 to trip and initiate the operation of the transmitter. If, however, the surge in the conduit 43 is not continuous the lever 6| will move back to normal position to contact the tappet 66 and open the switch 65.

In the circuit shown in Fig. 7, the heating ele-- merits 68 and the electromagnet 64 are in paral lel, and this arrangement is preferred where, for instance, a storage battery supplying siX volts is employed for the circuit. In the circuit shown in Fig. 8, the heating element 68 and the electromagnet 54 are in series, and this arrangement is preferred where, for instance, a commercial supply of 110 volts is used.

Fig. 5 shows one form of thermostatic switch which employs a bi-metallic arm 82 and an overhanging spring arm 83, which may be adjusted by a screw 84. The heating element 68 is adjacent the bi-metallic arm 82, while both arms are supported by a bracket 85.

The novel thermostatic switch shown in Fig. 9 is arranged with two like bi-metallic arms 85 and 81, the arrangement being such that atmospheric temperatures will aifect both arms equally, thus compensating for atmospheric temperature changes. One arm 86 has the heating element 58 arranged about it as specifically shown. The device is supported on the base plate by a bracket 88, while screws 89 securely bind together, and to the bracket 88, a non-conducting strip 98, a terminal conductor 9|, the biemetallic arm 86,

an insulator 92, a terminal strip 83, an insulator 94, and one side of a yoke 95. The other and corresponding side of the yoke 95 carries the arm 87 secured to it by screws 96, which bind together the yoke 95, the insulator 91, the arm ill, a terminal strip 58 and an insulator 99. Adjustment is secured by a screw I00, at the end of the arms of the yoke 95.

A spring switch I! is connected with the tappet 8E and is closed to give a local alarm during the operation of the transmitter.

While the descriptions of the functions and operations of the several parts have been explained heretofore, as they were described, a synopsis of their operation may be made. The device is intended to give a code signal through the transmitter only in case of a flow through the conduit 43 for a substantial length of time. When such a flow commences the vane Al is de flected in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 6, placing the member 44 under tension and moving it to the right, Fig. 6, and downward, Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Upon the initial movement of the member M, the lever 6| will be moved in a counterclockwise direction through its connection with the member 44 by the link 60. Before this movement is commenced the apparatus will be in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and upon the initial movement the lever BI is moved away from the tappet 55 to close the switch 65, thus energizing the electromagnet 64, as shown in Fig. 3. The electromagnet 64, being energized, will. hold its armature 63 and the lever 64 so as to blocl; further movement of the lever 6i and the member 46. The closing of the switch 65 also ener gizes the heating element 63, which will continue to heat so long as the member 44 is held under tension, and moves the lever 6| away from the tappet E35 to allow the switch 65 to remain closed. In case the flow through the conduit 43 is a momentary surge, the lever B! will move back and open the switch 65 without further action of the device. If, however, the flow is continuous for a considerable period of time the heating element (iii will continue to heat until the thermostatic switch 6l' opens to de-energize the electromagnet, leaving the lever 62 free so that the lever will move until it hits the stop 18, permitting the member 44 to continue its travel and strike the adjusting screw 45 on the arm 23 of the actuator to trip the transmitter.

The transmitter will give the predetermined code signal by rotating the code wheel I until the cam 26 causes the actuator to stop the motor.

Upon proper conditions being restored the member 4-2 will return to normal position, upwardly as shown in Fig. 4, to strike the adjusting screw 46, thus causing the transmitter to give a restore signal while further rotating the cams 26 and ti to the position shown in Fig. 2., thus completing the cycle.

As illustrated in the drawings showing a specific embodiment, the mechanism is operated directly by the vane i I. It is desirable, under certain circumstances, to have the mechanism remote from the conduit. Under such circumstances the vane is arranged to close an electric circuit, which circuit by an electromagnet operates such a member as 44 to actuate the mechanism, which may be in a place remote from the conduit or the vane.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction, within the scope of the appended claims, and parts of the invention may be used without the whole,

We claim:

1. In a signal device having a transmitter and an actuator for said transmitter, the combination comprising a member movable in response to conditions to be supervised, an electric circuit, an electromagnet in said circuit, a thermostatic switch in said circuit, an electric heating element in the circuit and positioned to heat said thermostatic switch, an armature for the electromagnet, a control switch for the circuit, and means connected to said movable member and blocked by said armature under the influence of the electromagnet for first closing the switch and then upon operation of the thermostatic switch and release of the armature by the electromagnet to move said actuator, arranged whereby upon initial movement of said member in response to conditions to be supervised said means will first operate the control switch to close the circuit and energize the electromagnet thereby holding its armature to block said means until the thermostatic switch under influence of the electric heating element in said circuit opens the circuit causing release of the armature and permitting further operation of said means to move said actuator for the transmitter.

2. In a signal device having a transmitter, an actuator for said transmitter, and mechanism responsive to conditions to be supervised constructed and arranged to move said actuator, the improvement comprising an electromagnet, means controlled by the electromagnet for blocking full operation of said mechanism, a circuit for energizing the electromagnet, a thermostatic switch in said circuit, an electric heating element for influencing the thermostatic switch, and a switch operated by said mechanism for controlling said heating element, constructed and arranged whereby said mechanism will first close said switch controlling the heating element, its further operation being blocked by the electromagnet until the thermostatic switch is operated by the heating element to cut out the electromagnet.

3. In a signal device having a transmitter, an actuator for the transmitter, and a member movable in response to conditions to be supervised, the improvement comprising an electromagnet for controlling the operation of said actuator, a circuit for energizing the electromagnet, a thermostatic switch in said circuit, an electric heating element for influencing the thermostatic switch, and a switch operated by said member for controlling said heating element, constructed and arranged whereby said member will close said heating element switch after which the thermostatic switch will out out the electromagnet to permit the operation of the actuator.

4. In a signal device having a transmitter, an actuator for the transmitter, and a member movable in response to conditions to be supervised, the improvement comprising an electromagnet, mechanism controlled by the electromagnet for permitting operation of the actuator by said member, a circuit for energizing the electromagnet, a thermostatic switch in said circuit, an electric heating element for influencing the thermostatic switch, and a switch operated by said member for controlling said heating element, constructed and arranged whereby said member will close said heating element switch after which the thermostatic switch wil cut out the electromagnet to permit the operation of the actuator.

5. In a signal device having a transmitter, an

actuator for the transmitter, and a member movable in response to conditions to be supervised to engage the actuator, the improvement comprising an electromagnet, an armature for the electromagnet, mechanism connected with the armature for limiting the movement of said member, a circuit for energizing the electromagnet, a thermostatic switch in said circuit, an electric heating element for influencing the thermostatic switch, and a switch operated by said member for controlling said heating element, constructed and arranged whereby said member will close said heating element switch after which the thermostatic switch will cut out the electromagnet to permit the operation of the actuator.

6. In a signal device having a transmitter, an actuator for the transmitter, and a member movable in response to conditions to be supervised, the improvement comprising an electric circuit, an electromagnet in the circuit for controlling the operation of the actuator, a thermostatic switch in the circuit, an electric heating element in the circuit and positioned to heat said thermostatic switch, a control switch for the circuit operable by said member, constructed and arranged whereby upon initial movement of said member in response to conditions to be supervised said member will first operate the control switch to close the circuit and energize the electromagnet until the thermostatic switch under influence of the heating element opens the circuit, thereby tie-energizing the electromagnet to permit the operation of the actuator.

7. In a signal device having a transmitter, an actuator for the transmitter, and a member movable in response to conditions to be supervised to engage the actuator, the combination comprising electrical circuit controlled means for delaying action of the member to effectively engage the actuator, said means including holding mechanism for such member allowing initial limited movement thereof insufiicient to engage the actuator and a timing device for releasing said mechanism after a predetermined time interval, and a switch for controlling the circuit of said means operated by the initial movement of said member.

8. In a signal device having a transmitter, an actuator for the transmitter, and a member movable in response to conditions to be supervised to engage the actuator, the combination comprising electrical means for delaying action of the member to effectively engage the actuator, a circuit for said means, a switch in the circuit closed by an initial movement of said member, a cam operated by the transmitter, and a switch in said circuit operated by the cam, the cam and its switch being so arranged that said switch is closed when the transmitter stands at the beginning of a cycle of the transmitter and the cam opens the switch after an initial movement of the transmitter.

9. In a signal device having a transmitter, an actuator for the transmitter, and a member movable in response to conditions to be supervised to engage the actuator, the improvement comprising an electromagnet, an armature for the electromagnet, holding means connected to the armature, an element connected with said member and loosely connected to said holding means, constructed and arranged to permit a limited movement of said member but to restrain further movement sufficient to effectively engage the actuator while the electromagnet is energized, and switch mechanism for energizing the electromagnet for a limited period only operable by continued pressure of the member through its said limited movement.

10. In a signal device having a transmitter, an actuator for the transmitter, and a member movable in response to conditions to be supervised to engage the actuator, the improvement comprising retard means for holding said member including a lever, a link connecting an arm of the lever and the member, a second lever loosely connected to an arm of the first lever, an electromagnet for holding said second lever, electric circuit controlled timing mechanism for deenergizing the electromagnet after a predetermined time interval, and a switch operable by the first lever through a movement thereof allowed by said loose connection for controlling the energization of the electromagnet and also the circuit of the timing device.

11. In a signal device having a transmitter, an actuator for the transmitter, and a member movable in response to conditions to be supervised to engage the actuator, the improvement comprising retard means for holding said mem ber including a lever, a link connecting an arm of the lever and the member, a second lever loosely connected to an arm of the first lever, and means for releasably holding said second lever, comprising an electric circuit, having therein an electromagnet constituting holding means for the second lever, a thermostatic switch, a heating element for influencing the thermostatic switch, and a switch operable by the first lever through a movement thereof allowed by said loose connection.

12. In a signal device having a transmitter, and an actuator for the transmitter, the combination comprising a yielding member movable in response to conditions to be ssupervised, a lever connected with said member, mechanism for limiting the movement of said member, and electrical apparatus for holding and releasing said mechanism including a resilient switch having a tappet engaging said lever and permitting said switch to close upon a movement of said lever limited as aforesaid, an electromagnet constituting holding means for said lever energized upon closing the switch, and a timing device to deenergize the electromagnet after a predetermined time interval.

CHARLES E. POTTER. JAMES W. KENDALL. 

